Studies & Degrees in Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering Study Programs
Biomedical engineering applies the methods of engineering to medicine and biology. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes bioengineers and biomedical engineers as people who combine engineering principles with sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems and software. Typical products are artificial internal organs, replacements for body parts such as hip and knee joints, machines for diagnosing medical problems, implant materials and the software that runs medical equipment.
The degree is an engineering degree first. Students take mathematics, physics, chemistry and programming, and then add biology and physiology. According to the BLS, bachelor's programmes typically include laboratory and classroom courses in biological sciences and in subjects such as fluid and solid mechanics, circuit design and biomaterials, together with substantial training in engineering design. Common specialisations are bioinstrumentation, biomaterials, biomechanics, medical imaging, clinical engineering and rehabilitation engineering.
Qualifications and levels
Biomedical engineering is taught at bachelor's, master's and doctoral level. In Europe, programmes are measured in ECTS credits: 60 ECTS credits are the equivalent of a full year of study, a bachelor's degree has 180 or 240 ECTS credits and a master's degree usually 90 or 120.
- Bachelor's degree. In Spain an official bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits and takes four years. The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) offers a Bachelor in Biomedical Engineering of four years and 240 ECTS credits, taught in English, and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) offers a four-year, 240-credit bachelor's degree in Barcelona. In Italy the Politecnico di Milano teaches a three-year bachelor's programme of 180 ECTS credits in Italian. In the United States the bachelor's degree normally takes four years; Purdue University, for example, describes its Indianapolis programme as a four-year programme.
- Master's degree. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering of the Politecnico di Milano lasts two years and is taught in Italian or English. Graduates of a related engineering degree, such as mechanical or electrical engineering, can also specialise at this level.
- Doctorate. Research careers lead to a PhD. The BLS notes that a biomedical engineer typically needs a graduate degree to lead a research team.
In the United States, engineering programmes can apply for ABET accreditation. ABET describes it as a form of quality assurance for programmes in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology, and stresses that it is not a ranking system. Academic accreditation in the United States is voluntary, so ask each school which accreditation its programme holds.
Where to study biomedical engineering
SpainExchange lists 74 active schools for biomedical engineering. The United States has 36 of them, Spain 7, the United Kingdom 6, Canada and Mexico 3 each, and Italy and Chile 2 each. Israel, Portugal, Austria, Russia and Iceland have one each.
In the United States the list includes Purdue University, whose Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering works in West Lafayette and Indianapolis, as well as Northwestern University, the University of Michigan, Vanderbilt University, Columbia University, Drexel University and The University of Texas at Austin. Elsewhere it includes the Politecnico di Milano in Italy, Tel Aviv University in Israel, the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico and UPC School in Barcelona.
English is the language of instruction in the United States and the United Kingdom. In continental Europe it depends on the programme and the level: the UC3M bachelor's degree is taught in English, the UPC asks students to check the language of each subject in the curriculum, and at the Politecnico di Milano the bachelor's programme is in Italian while the master's is in Italian or English. Check the language of instruction before applying.
Careers
Biomedical engineers work for medical device manufacturers, in research and development, in hospitals and clinical engineering services, and in technical support, sales and consulting. In the United States, the largest employers in 2025 were research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences (22 percent of jobs), followed by medical equipment and supplies manufacturing and by healthcare and social assistance (10 percent each), according to the BLS.
The occupation is small. The BLS counted about 23,800 bioengineers and biomedical engineers in the United States in 2025 and projects employment to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,200 openings each year. Some graduates go on to medical school, patent law or management, and some move into university teaching.
Frequently asked questions
Is biomedical engineering the same as bioengineering?
The two names overlap and many universities use them for similar degrees. The BLS treats them as one occupation and notes that the work of bioengineers spans many fields, while biomedical engineers concentrate on technology for human health.
How long does a biomedical engineering degree take?
A bachelor's degree takes four years in Spain (240 ECTS credits) and in the United States, and three years in Italy (180 ECTS credits). A master's degree adds one to two years.
Do I need a master's degree to work as a biomedical engineer?
Not always. According to the BLS, biomedical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering or a related engineering field, and some positions require a graduate degree.
Can I study biomedical engineering in English outside English-speaking countries?
Yes, in some programmes. The bachelor's degree of the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is taught in English, and the master's degree of the Politecnico di Milano is offered in Italian or English.